Valentinus, the great unknown Gnostic

Posted by rodney

February 14, 2008

I am established, I am redeemed and I redeem my soul from this aeon and from all that comes from it, in the name of IAO, who redeemed his soul unto the redemption in Christ, the living one. (Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. I. 21,5)

The Gnosis in his hands is trying to . . . embrace everything, even the most dogmatic formulation of the traditions of the Master. The great popular movement and its incomprehensibilities were recognized by Valentinus as an integral part of the mighty outpouring; he laboured to weave all together, external and internal, into one piece, devoted his life to the task, and doubtless only at his death perceived that for that age he was attempting the impossible. None but the very few could ever appreciate the ideal of the man, much less understand it. (G.R.S. Mead, Fragments of a Faith Forgotten, p. 297)

Valentinus was one of the most influential Gnostic Christian teachers of the second century A.D. He founded a movement which spread throughout Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Despite persecution by the Catholic Church, the Valentinian school endured for over 600 years.

More info at The Gnostic Society Library

History

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Comments

He is not so “unknown” in the german esoteric and pagan scene. And he is only the tip of the iceberg. Our mutual friend Oliver gave me a bloody great Audio Book a few month ago with speeches from the Qumrsn Archives… Man (dude in american), that was f***** awesome. I gave it to my hardcore catholic Granny (she is 88) and she always thought that I am a pagan or a luciferian (what I am both) and now thinks I am a Christian (what I am too some of you will understand what I mean )